Girls&#39; modesty garments

ABSTRACT

A young girl&#39;s modesty garment substantially covering a wearer&#39;s pelvic region and a relatively short length of the wearer&#39;s upper thighs, may include a fitted panty portion including a main panty body partially bounded by a left leg opening and a right leg opening, and a crotch portion disposed at a lower vertical edge of the main panty body and laterally centered between the left and right leg openings. The modesty garment further comprises right and left fitted leg bodies permanently affixed to and contiguous with the panty portion at a seam disposed at the right and left leg openings, respectively. The right and left leg bodies extend downward from the right and left leg openings respectively. The right and left leg bodies each have a lower end disposed below the crotch portion, such that the right and left fitted leg bodies at least partially cover the upper thighs of a user when worn.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/712,341, filed Oct. 11, 2012, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates general to modesty garments, and moreparticularly to modesty garments for young girls.

BACKGROUND

Young girls often wear conventional panties beneath a skirt or similararticle of clothing. Often times, due to their young age they have acomplete lack of modesty. Accordingly, it not uncommon for young girlswearing skirts and similar articles of clothing to inadvertently exposethemselves when they are playing, etc. This can attract unwantedattention and is, otherwise, an undesirable state for parents. As aresult, many parents are hesitant to allow their young daughters to wearskirts or dresses. Parents may also choose to allow their youngdaughters to wear skirts, but require their daughters to wear shorts orleggings over the underwear and underneath the skirt; however, thissolution provides many drawbacks. The shorts or leggings may not beaesthetically pleasing because they may not match the skirt; theleggings may be longer than the skirt and therefore may need to berolled up or otherwise be exposed during normal use; the shorts orleggings may be uncomfortable, cumbersome, or too hot for the child towear in addition to conventional underwear; and there are additionalcosts associated with purchasing shorts and leggings for that purpose.

Various types of alternative undergarments, such as athleticundergarments and women's undergarments with attached stockings orpantyhose are known. However, due primarily to the fact that these aregenerally designed for adults and/or designed for a different use (e.g.,exercising/sports activity, combination pantyhose carryingundergarment), they are not designed or structured to be comfortablyworn by young girls as underwear on a day-to-day basis. For example,stockings and many alternative undergarments have uncomfortable seamsthat extend up the center of the garment, including the crotch area, andare made of elastic material that tends to pull the garments down andaway from the crotch area during use, also known as “riding down.”Moreover, these types of garments are not made of breathable materials,rendering them uncomfortable.

As another example, fabrics and designs chosen for athleticundergarments are highly specialized to meet the specific needs of anathletic wearer; such highly specialized fabrics and designs are oftennot desirable or appropriate for everyday use by a child. Many athleticundergarments, such as those designed for exercising, yoga, dancing,cycling, and other sports are designed to be tight-fitting and provide aresilient compressive fit. This is typically achieved by creatinggarments that are made of fabrics having resilient fibers. These typesof garments are typically sized to be smaller than the user's body, suchthat, when worn, the fabric must stretch to accommodate the user's body,thereby providing a tight-fitting, compressive, and supportive fit. Asis known in the art, resilient fabrics provide more resistance tomovement, and have a tendency to bounce or spring back to their relaxedshape. Such a tight fit is also insulating, which slows heat transfer,thereby keeping muscles warm to prevent strains and injury duringworkouts. Moreover, such a tight-fitting supportive fit can be criticalfor exercise purposes to prevent chaffing. These highly specializeddesign features for athletic undergarments, are however, uncomfortableand not desirable nor appropriate for young children.

Body shaping or slimming undergarments are also known in the art. Forexample, body shaping garments sold under the brand Spanx® are wellknown and worn by both men and women under outer garments to eliminatevisible undergarment seam lines (e.g. so called “panty lines”) and tosmooth out unwanted/undesired features of the wearer's body, such ascellulite or fat bulges. Like the athletic undergarments describedabove, body shaping undergarments utilize resilient fabrics that providea tight, compressive, supportive fit that compresses and “shapes” theuser's body into a desired aesthetic condition. Accordingly, bodyshaping undergarments also suffer from the same heat and comfort relateddrawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with a general implementation of the present invention, amodesty garment is provided which comprises: a fitted panty portionincluding a main panty body partially bounded by a left leg opening anda right leg opening, and a crotch portion disposed at a lower verticaledge of the main panty body and laterally centered between the left andright leg openings. The modesty garment further comprises right and leftfitted leg bodies permanently affixed to and contiguous with the pantyportion at a seam disposed at the right and left leg openings,respectively. The right and left leg bodies extend downward from theright and left leg openings respectively. The right and left leg bodieseach have a lower end disposed below the crotch portion, such that theright and left fitted leg bodies at least partially cover the upperthighs of a user when worn.

In another aspect, the modesty garment may be an undergarment having afitted panty portion bounded by an upper waist opening, a left legopening and a right leg opening, and a crotch portion disposed at alower vertical edge of the main panty body and laterally centeredbetween the left and right leg openings. A right fitted leg body may bepermanently affixed to and contiguous with the panty portion along aseam disposed at the right leg opening, the right leg body extendingdownward from the right leg opening. The right leg body may comprise alower end, the lower end being disposed below the crotch portion suchthat the right fitted leg body at least partially covers a right upperthigh of a user when worn. A left fitted leg body may be permanentlyaffixed to and contiguous with the panty portion along a seam disposedat the left leg opening, the left leg body extending downward from theleft leg opening. The left fitted leg body may comprise a lower end, thelower end being disposed below the crotch portion such that the leftfitted leg body at least partially covers a left upper thigh of a userwhen worn. The panty portion and the leg bodies may be made ofsubstantially non-resilient to low-resilient fibers and or fabrics. Thepanty portion may be made of one of the group of a cotton andcotton-blend fabric.

In yet another aspect, the modesty garment may comprise: a fitted pantyportion covering a wearer's pelvic region, the panty portion including amain panty body bounded by a left leg opening and a right leg opening,and a crotch portion disposed at a lower vertical edge of the main pantybody and laterally centered between the left and right leg openings; aright fitted leg body permanently affixed to and contiguous with thepanty portion along a seam disposed at the right leg opening, the rightleg body extending downward from the right leg opening, the right legbody comprising a lower end that is disposed below the crotch portionsuch that the right fitted leg body at least partially covers a rightupper thigh of a user when worn; and a left fitted leg body permanentlyaffixed to and contiguous with the panty portion along a seam disposedat the left leg opening, the left leg body extending downward from theleft leg opening, the left fitted leg body comprising a lower end, thatis disposed below the crotch portion such that the left fitted leg bodyat least partially covers a left upper thigh of a user when worn; and atorso portion connected in a continuous manner with an upper end of thepanty portion.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The various preferred embodiments, together with furtheradvantages, will be best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, which are providedto illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 presents a front plan view of a panty portion of an embodiment ofa modesty garment;

FIG. 2 presents a rear plan view of the panty portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 presents a front plan view of left and right leg body portions ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 presents a rear plan view of left and right leg body portions ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 presents a front plan view of the panty portion of FIG. 1 and theright and left leg portions of FIG. 3, prior to attachment;

FIG. 6 presents a rear plan view of the panty portion of FIG. 2 and theright and left leg portions of FIG. 4, prior to attachment;

FIG. 7 presents a front plan view of the embodiment of the modestygarment of FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 8 presents a rear plan view of the embodiment of the modestygarment of FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 9 presents a front plan view of a second embodiment of a modestygarment in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 10 presents a rear plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a fullyassembled configuration;

FIG. 11 presents a front plan view of third embodiment of a modestygarment in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 12 presents a rear plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 in afully assembled configuration;

FIG. 13 presents a front plan view of a lower portion of a fourthembodiment of a modesty garment in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 14 presents a rear plan view of the lower portion of the embodimentof FIG. 13 in a fully assembled configuration; and

FIG. 15 presents a front plan view of the entire, fully assembledembodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14.

Throughout the figures and this specification, like reference numeralsrefer to like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations or embodiments. All of theimplementations and embodiments described below are exemplary andprovided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use theembodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes ofdescription herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”,“front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral” and derivatives thereofshall relate to the embodiments as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore,there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theorypresented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary orthe following detailed description. It is also to be understood that thespecific embodiments and processes illustrated in the attached drawings,and described in the following specification, are simply exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relatingto the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered aslimiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Turning to the figures, FIGS. 7 and 8, depict an embodiment of a modestygarment. The modesty garment is shown fully assembled as referencenumber 400 and generally includes three main components: a panty portion100; a right leg portion 200; and a left leg portion 300. In the fullyassembled state, the modesty garment 400 forms a unitary article thatcan be easily donned and removed by a user.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modesty garment preferablyincorporates a panty portion 100, including a front body portion, showngenerally as 110, and a rear body portion, shown generally as 130. Thepanty portion 100 is disposed in a substantially laterally centeredposition of the modesty garment 400. The panty portion 100 includes acontiguous waistband, including a front body portion length 118 and arear body portion length 138, together defining a waist opening 150. Acontiguous right leg band is provided, including a right leg band frontbody portion length 120 and a right leg band rear body portion length140, together defining a right leg opening 152. A contiguous elasticleft leg band is provided, including a left leg band front body portionlength 122 and a left leg band rear body portion length 142, togetherdefining a left leg opening 154. The waistband, right leg band, and leftleg band may be made from materials having elastic properties orincorporate elastic members as known in the art to assist in retentionon a user's waist or legs, respectively, when worn. The panty portion100 may be constructed of substantially non-resilient or low-resilientfibers or fabric. The substantially non-resilient or low-resilientfibers are preferably lightweight, non-compressive, and breathable, andmay be made from natural materials such as cotton, or cotton blendedfabrics.

The front body portion 110 is partially bounded by a front body portionupper edge 112, a front body portion right edge 114, and a front bodyportion left edge 116. The front body portion 110 includes a front bodyright hip portion 126, a front body left hip portion 128 and front bodycrotch portion 124. The front body right and left hip portions 126, 128may be unbounded and extend in a contiguous manner to the rear bodyright and left hip portions 146, 148, respectively. The fabric of thefront body portion upper edge 112 slightly overlaps with and is sewninto the waist band front body portion length 118. The fabric of thefront body portion right edge 114 slightly overlaps with and is sewninto the right leg band front body portion length 120, and the fabric ofthe front body portion left edge 116 slightly overlaps with and is sewninto the left leg band front body portion length 122.

The rear body portion 130 is partially bounded by a rear body portionupper edge 132, a rear body portion right edge 134 and a rear bodyportion left edge 136. The unbounded portions of the rear body portion130 include rear body right hip portion 146, rear body left hip portion148 and rear body crotch portion 144. The rear body portion upper edge132 slightly overlaps with and is sewn into the waist band rear bodyportion length 138. The rear body portion right edge 134 slightlyoverlaps with and is sewn into the right leg band rear body portionlength 140, and the rear body portion left edge 136 slightly overlapswith and is sewn into the left leg band rear body portion length 142.

The front body right hip portion 126 may be contiguous with the rearbody right hip portion 146. The front body left hip portion 128 may becontiguous with the rear body left hip portion 148. In alternativeembodiments, the front body right and left hip portions 126, 128 may beseparate from the rear body left and right hip portions 146, 148,respectively and joined together by a seam that extends vertically alongtheir intersection. The front body crotch portion 124 may be contiguouswith rear body crotch portion 144, and the crotch portion may widen fromthe front body portion 124 toward the rear body portion 144. Preferably,the panty portion 100 does not include any seams in the front or rearcrotch portions 124, 144 that could contact or irritate the user'sgenital areas. The panty portion 100 may comprise a lining or gusset onthe interior surface of the crotch portion, for added protection,comfort, and moisture management. The lining may be sewn in at the rearbody portion 130, creating a seam at the rear body portion 130 that isvisible on a rear exterior surface of the rear body portion 130 of thepanty portion 100, as depicted in FIG. 2. For aesthetic purposes and forcomfort, the lining may not be sewn in at the front body portion 110 ofthe panty portion 100 so that the seam is not visible on a frontexterior surface of the panty portion 100, as is depicted in FIG. 1.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, the modesty garment 400preferably incorporates lightweight, breathable form-fitting right andleft leg bodies, shown generally as reference numbers 200 and 300,respectively. The right and left leg bodies 200, 300 are preferablyrelatively short in length. For example and without limitation, in oneembodiment the length of the right and left leg bodies 200, 300 mayextend between about two (2) and about fifteen (15) centimeters below alower laterally edge of the front and rear body crotch portions 124,144. In another embodiment, the right and left leg bodies 200, 300 mayextend between about two (2) and about ten (10) centimeters below thelower laterally extending edge of the front and rear body crotchportions 124, 144. In a preferred embodiment, the right and left legbodies 200, 300 may extend between about three (3) and about six (6)centimeters below the lower laterally extending edge of the front andrear body crotch portions 124, 144. In some embodiments, the right andleft leg bodies 200, 300 may extend the full length of the leg to thefoot, thereby providing maximum coverage.

The right leg body 200 may be fabricated from a unitary right leg panel202 having ends attached along a right leg panel longitudinal seam 204to form a contiguous tubular structure, having a right leg panel rearportion 210 and a right leg panel front portion 212. The right leg panel202 is bounded above by a right leg panel upper edge 206 and below by aright leg panel lower band 220. The right leg panel upper edge 206 isfurther defined by a right leg panel front upper edge length 207, and aright leg panel rear upper edge length 208.

The left leg body 300 may be fabricated from a unitary left leg panel302 having ends attached along a left leg panel longitudinal seam 304 toform a contiguous tubular structure, having a left leg panel rearportion 310 and a left leg panel front portion 312. The left leg panel302 is bounded above by a left leg panel upper edge 306 and below by aleft leg panel lower band 320. Left leg panel upper edge 306 is furtherdefined by a left leg panel front upper edge length 307, and a left legpanel rear upper edge length 308.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 5-8, during assembly the right leg body200 is permanently attached to the panty portion 100 by attaching theright leg panel upper edge 206 to the panty right leg band, for example,by sewing an uppermost portion of the right leg panel 202 (adjacentupper edge 206) to an elastic interface disposed at a right leg panelinterconnection seam 250 and sewing the right leg band to the elasticinterface, thereby attaching the two materials via an elastic interface.Significantly, the right leg panel front and rear upper edge lengths,206 and 207, respectively, are particularly contoured to match thecontours of the panty right leg band front and rear body portionlengths, 120 and 140, respectively. In this manner, the right leg body200 is attached to the panty portion 100 such that the panty right legopening 152 and right leg body opening 209 are coextensive.

Likewise, during assembly the left leg body 300 is permanently attachedto the panty portion 100 by attaching the left leg panel upper edge 306to the panty left leg band, for example, by sewing an uppermost portionof the left leg panel 302 (adjacent upper edge 306) to an elasticinterface disposed at a left leg panel interconnection seam 350 andsewing the left leg band to the elastic interface, thereby attaching thetwo materials via an elastic interface. Significantly, the left legpanel front and rear upper edge lengths, 306 and 307, respectively, areparticularly contoured to match the contours of the panty left leg bandfront and rear body portion lengths, 122 and 142, respectively. In thismanner, the left leg body 300 is attached to the panty portion 100 suchthat the panty left leg opening 154 and left leg body opening 309 arecoextensive.

While the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a “bikini” or“high-cut” style panty portion 100, it should be understood that it isnot limited thereto and other traditionally shaped panty portion stylesare contemplated. For example and without limitation, as shown in FIGS.9 and 10, in one alternative embodiment the panty portion 100 a may be a“hipster” style panty having a hip portion/body that extends farther inthe vertically downward direction along the side portion of the frontbody right and left hip portions 126 a, 128 a to fully cover the hiparea, thereby increasing the vertical distance (and therefore the amountof coverage in the hip area of the user when worn) between the waistband118, 138 and the left and right leg panel lower bands 220, 320.

Turning to FIGS. 11 and 12, in another alternative embodiment, the pantyportion 100 b may be a “boy short” style panty having a body thatextends in the vertically downward direction along the side portion ofthe front body right and left hip portions 126, 128 to substantially thesame vertical position of the lower edge of the front and rear crotchportions 124, 144, thereby further increasing the vertical distancebetween the waistband 118, 138 and the left and right leg panel lowerbands 220, 320 (as compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 and theembodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10), and maximizing the amount of coverage inthe pelvic area of the user when worn. In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the panty portion 100 b does not contain any upward orvertically extending seams in the front or rear body crotch portions124, 144.

The alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, and 11 and 12,respectively, comprise substantially the same components havingsubstantially the same connections, assembly, and function as theembodiments as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 and are therefore notdescribed again.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-12 and described above may beconfigured as undergarments intended to be worn under outer garmentswhere a girls' undergarments may be inadvertently exposed, such asdresses or skirts. The embodiments may include stylistic embellishmentssuch as lace disposed at the lower end of the leg portions 200, 300. Theembellishments may be connected the lower leg bands or may form thelower leg bands themselves.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-12 may also be configured as outergarments such as, for example, the lower portion of two-piece bathingsuits or the like. For example, in the case of outer garments, it may bepreferable to use the embodiments in combination with a tank top (e.g.,a so-called “tankini”) or long/short sleeve t-shirt style swimming topthat provides sufficient coverage of a young girls' body to beappropriate for use in public. In this manner, the embodiments of FIGS.1-12 provide significant benefits over traditional bathing suits or asthey provide more coverage than traditional “bottoms,” but allow foreasier donning and removal because they provide a two-piececonfiguration.

It should be understood that any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-12may be configured in a high waisted or low waisted configuration, andare preferably devoid of any seams in the crotch area. Moreover, itshould be understood that the right and left leg portions 200, 300 maybe the same color as the panty portions 100, 100 a, 100 b to deemphasizethe shape and seams of a traditional panty undergarment or bikini stylebottom. In other embodiments, the right and left leg portions 200, 300may have a different color than the panty portion 100, 100 a, 100 b togive the appearance of two garments. Regardless of the colorcombination/configuration, all the embodiments described above and shownin FIGS. 1-12, provide the comfort and simplicity of traditionalundergarments or bikini style bottom outer garments while providingadditional coverage of the thighs of the user in a single, unitarygarment.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the modesty garment400 a. The modesty garment 400 c, includes four main components; a torsoportion 500, a panty portion 100 c, a right leg portion 200, and a leftleg portion 300. In the fully assembled state, the modesty undergarment400 c forms a unitary article that can be easily donned and removed by auser.

Turning to FIGS. 13 and 14, the panty portion 100 c, includes a frontbody portion, shown generally as 110, and a rear body portion, showngenerally as 130. The panty portion 100 c is disposed in a substantiallylaterally centered position of the modesty garment 400 c. The pantyportion 100 c includes a contiguous right leg band, including a rightleg band front body portion length 120 and a right leg band rear bodyportion length 140, together defining a right leg opening 152. Acontiguous elastic left leg band is provided, including a left leg bandfront body portion length 122 and a left leg band rear body portionlength 142, together defining a left leg opening 154. The right legband, and left leg band may be made from materials having elasticproperties or incorporate elastic members as known in the art to assistin retention on a user's legs when worn. The panty portion 100 c may beconstructed of substantially non-resilient or low-resilient fibers orfabric. The substantially non-resilient or low-resilient fibers arepreferably lightweight, non-compressive, and breathable, and may be madefrom natural materials such as cotton, or cotton blended fabrics.

The front body portion 110 is partially bounded by a front body portionright edge 114 and a front body portion left edge 116. A front bodyright hip portion 126, a front body left hip portion 128 and front bodycrotch portion 124 of the front body portion 110 may be unbounded andconnect in a seamless, contiguous manner. The front body right and lefthip portions 126, 128 are unbounded and extend in a contiguous manner tothe rear body right and left hip portions 146, 148, respectively. Thefabric of the front body portion right edge 114 slightly overlaps withand is sewn into the right leg band front body portion length 120, andthe fabric of the front body portion left edge 116 slightly overlapswith and is sewn into the left leg band front body portion length 122.

Rear body portion 130 is partially bounded by a front body portion rightedge 134 and a front body portion left edge 136. The right hip portion146, rear body left hip portion 148 and rear body crotch portion 144 ofthe rear body portion 130 are unbounded and connect in a seamless,contiguous manner. The rear body portion right edge 134 slightlyoverlaps with and is sewn into the right leg band rear body portionlength 140, and the rear body portion left edge 136 slightly overlapswith and is sewn into the left leg band rear body portion length 142.

The front body right hip portion 126 may be contiguous with the rearbody right hip portion 146. The front body left hip portion 128 may becontiguous with the rear body left hip portion 148. In alternativeembodiments, the front body right and left hip portions 126, 128 may beseparate from the rear body left and right hip portions 146, 148,respectively and joined together by a seam that extends vertically alongtheir intersection. The front body crotch portion 124 may be contiguouswith rear body crotch portion 144, and the crotch portion may widen fromthe front body portion 124 toward the rear body portion 144. Preferably,the panty portion 100 c does not include any seams in the front or rearcrotch portions 124, 144 that could contact or irritate the user'sgenital areas. The panty portion 100 c may comprise a lining on theinterior surface of the crotch portion, for added protection, comfort,and moisture management. The lining may be sewn in at the rear bodyportion 130, creating a seam at the rear body portion 130 that isvisible on a rear exterior surface of the rear body portion 130 of thepanty portion 100 c, as depicted in FIG. 14. For aesthetic purposes andfor comfort, the lining may not be sewn in at the front body portion 110of the panty portion 100 c such that the seam is not visible on a frontexterior surface of the panty portion 100 c, as is depicted in FIG. 13.

Notably, the upper portion of the panty portion 100 c is unbounded andcontinues in a contiguous manner up to the torso portion 500 (FIG. 15).The torso portion 500 includes a neck opening 520 to receive a user'sneck. The neck opening 520 may be formed from an elastic, stretchablefabric or fibers to allow the insertion of a user's legs and facilitatedonning of the modesty garment 400 c through the neck opening 520. Insome embodiments, the torso portion 500 may include sleeves 510. Inother embodiments, the torso portion 500 may be sleeveless to form aso-called “tank top” configuration.

Returning to FIGS. 13 and 14, the modesty undergarment 400 cincorporates lightweight, breathable form-fitting right and left legbodies, shown generally as reference numbers 200 and 300, respectively.The right and left leg bodies 200, 300 are preferably relatively shortin length. For example and without limitation, in one embodiment thelength of the right and left leg bodies 200, 300 may extend betweenabout two (2) and about fifteen (15) centimeters below the lowerlaterally edge of the front and rear body crotch portions 124, 144. Inanother embodiment, the right and left leg bodies 200, 300 may extendbetween about two (2) and about ten (10) centimeters below the lowerlaterally extending edge of the front and rear body crotch portions 124,144. In a preferred embodiment, the right and left leg bodies 200, 300may extend between about three (3) and about six (6) centimeters belowthe lower laterally extending edge of the front and rear body crotchportions 124, 144. In some embodiments, the right and left leg bodies200, 300 may extend the full length of the leg to the foot, therebyproviding maximum coverage.

The right leg body 200 may be fabricated from a unitary right leg panel202 having ends attached along a right leg panel longitudinal seam 204to form a contiguous tubular structure, having a right leg panel rearportion 210 and a right leg panel front portion 212. The right leg panel202 is bounded above by a right leg panel upper edge 206 and below by aright leg panel lower band 220. The right leg panel upper edge 206 isfurther defined by a right leg panel front upper edge length 207, and aright leg panel rear upper edge length 208.

The left leg body 300 may be fabricated from a unitary left leg panel302 having ends attached along a left leg panel longitudinal seam 304 toform a contiguous tubular structure, having a left leg panel rearportion 310 and a left leg panel front portion 312. The left leg panel302 is bounded above by a left leg panel upper edge 306 and below by aleft leg panel lower band 320. The left leg panel upper edge 306 isfurther defined by a left leg panel front upper edge length 307, and aleft leg panel rear upper edge length 308.

During assembly the right leg body 200 is permanently attached to thepanty portion 100 c by attaching the right leg panel upper edge 206 tothe panty right leg band, for example, by sewing an uppermost portion ofthe right leg panel 202 (adjacent upper edge 206) to an elasticinterface disposed at a right leg panel interconnection seam and sewingthe right leg band to the elastic interface, thereby attaching the twomaterials via an elastic interface. Significantly, the right leg panelfront and rear upper edge lengths, 206 and 207, respectively, areparticularly contoured to match the contours of the panty right leg bandfront and rear body portion lengths, 120 and 140, respectively. In thismanner, the right leg body 200 is attached to the panty portion 100 csuch that the panty right leg opening 152 and right leg body opening arecoextensive.

Likewise, during assembly the left leg body 300 is permanently attachedto the panty portion 100 c by attaching the left leg panel upper edge306 to the panty left leg band, for example, by sewing an uppermostportion of the left leg panel 302 (adjacent upper edge 306) to anelastic interface disposed at a left leg panel interconnection seam andsewing the left leg band to the elastic interface, thereby attaching thetwo materials via an elastic interface. Significantly, the left legpanel front and rear upper edge lengths, 306 and 307, respectively, areparticularly contoured to match the contours of the panty left leg bandfront and rear body portion lengths, 122 and 142, respectively. In thismanner, the left leg body 300 is attached to the panty portion 100 csuch that the panty left leg opening 154 and left leg body opening arecoextensive.

The right and left leg portions 200, 300 of the modesty garment 400 cmay have a different color than the panty portion 100 c to give theappearance of two garments (e.g., a leotard worn in conjunction withtights). The modesty garment 400 c may include stylistic embellishmentssuch as lace disposed at the lower end of the leg portions 200, 300. Theembellishments may be connected to the lower leg bands or may form thelower leg bands themselves.

As shown in FIG. 15, the modesty garment 400 c may be configured for usein activities young girls typically participate in, such as dance orgymnastics. The modesty garment 400 c may also be configured as aone-piece swim suit. Regardless of the specific style/configuration oruse case, the modesty garment 400 c provides coverage of a user's upperlegs/thighs and a more modest aesthetic as compared to traditionaldance, gymnastic, and swim wear. Additionally, the modesty garment 400 cprovides significant benefits over using a conventional dance/gym wearin conjunction with tights or standard shorts, which tend to be hot,uncomfortable, and bunch up due to the layered configuration in whichthey must be worn. Further, the modesty garment 400 c may provide younggirls with increased comfort as compared with conventional garments,such as tights for activities where they sweat but need bare feet, suchas gymnastics and dance.

Generally speaking, heretofore, young girls' garments, including bothundergarments and over garments having upper-leg covering portions havenot been designed with an eye toward creating comfortable, modestgarments that can be worn by young girls. Instead, the known art isfraught with exercise shorts and pantyhose combination garments thatnecessarily incorporate structural and design features that are notconducive to the modesty needs of young girls. For example, exercisegarments may provide very tight form-fitting leg portions intentionallydesigned to compress the legs and slow heat transfer from the upper legsduring exercise. Additionally, exercise garments often utilize fabricsmade of resilient fibers that provide a tight, compressive, supportivefit, having a tendency to resist movement primarily for providingsupport and insulation for the wearer. Such design features in the knownart are neither desirable nor appropriate in a young girl'sundergarment, which is preferably fitted but not too tight; morestretchable than resilient; utilizing a soft comfortable fabric, such ascotton; and providing moisture management, breathability, and removal ofheat build-up. Other undergarments including upper-leg covering portionsdo not incorporate a crotch lining; place seams in undesirable locationson the panty, particularly in the crotch area; and/or do not provide anelastic interface at the leg openings. Moreover, children, andparticularly young girls are often very reluctant to try new things,including clothing. This is particularly the case for tight fittingarticles of clothing such as undergarments, bathing suits, and dance/gymwear that are designed to come in direct contact with the skin and/orgenitals. As illustrated in embodiments depicted the Figures, the pantyportions 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c are specifically configured to providea standard, familiar and comfortable fit, particularly in the crotchportion, that is substantially similar to traditional undergarments,bathing suits, and dance/gymnastics wear, respectively. Accordingly,children are more likely to accept and wear the garments described abovein connection with the embodiments of the present invention as theyprovide a familiar feel when worn. The embodiments described in thisspecification do not incorporate unfamiliar or uncomfortable seams, forexample, seams that extend vertically through the crotch area. Theembodiments do not have a compressive, stretch fit making them hot anduncomfortable or that causes them to ride down during active use.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations ofimplementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles ofthe invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications orequivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that theinvention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A young girl's unitary modesty garment comprising: a fitted pantyportion substantially covering a wearer's pelvic region, said pantyportion including a main panty body partially bounded by a left legopening and a right leg opening, and a crotch portion disposed at alower vertical edge of said main panty body and laterally centeredbetween said left and right leg openings; a right fitted leg bodypermanently affixed to and contiguous with said panty portion along aseam disposed at said right leg opening, said right leg body extendingdownward from said right leg opening, said right leg body comprising alower end, said lower end being disposed below said crotch portion suchthat said right fitted leg body at least partially covers a right upperthigh of a user when worn; and a left fitted leg body permanentlyaffixed to and contiguous with said panty portion along a seam disposedat said left leg opening, said left leg body extending downward fromsaid left leg opening, said left fitted leg body comprising a lower end,said lower end being disposed below said crotch portion such that saidleft fitted leg body at least partially covers a left upper thigh of auser when worn.
 2. The modesty garment recited in claim 1, wherein saidpanty portion is made of substantially non-resilient to low-resilientfibers.
 3. The modesty garment recited in claim 1, wherein said legbodies are made of non-resilient to low-resilient fibers.
 4. The modestygarment recited in claim 1, wherein said panty portion is made of one ofthe group of a cotton and cotton-blend fabric.
 5. The modesty garmentrecited in claim 1, wherein said leg bodies are made of one of the groupof a cotton and cotton-blend fabric.
 6. The modesty garment recited inclaim 1, wherein said panty portion is made of a non-elastomericmaterial.
 7. The modesty garment recited in claim 1, wherein said legbodies are made of a non-elastomeric material.
 8. The modesty garmentrecited in claim 1, wherein said panty portion is bounded on an upperend by an upper waist opening, said panty portion further comprising: amain panty body front portion partially bounded by a front upper edgepartially defining a waist opening, a left front edge partially definingsaid left leg opening, and a right front edge partially defining saidright leg opening, said front body portion narrowing downward betweensaid left and right front edges into a front body crotch portion, saidfront body portion narrowing to said upper right between said top andright front edges into a front body right hip portion, and said frontbody portion narrowing to said upper left between said top and leftfront edges into a front body left hip portion; and a main panty bodyrear portion partially bounded by a rear upper edge partially definingsaid waist opening, a left rear edge partially defining said left legopening, and a right rear edge partially defining said right legopening, said front body portion narrowing downward between said leftand right front edges into a rear body crotch portion, said front bodyportion narrowing to said upper right between said top and right frontedges into a rear body right hip portion, and said rear body portionnarrowing to said upper left between said top and left front edges intoa left hip portion.
 9. The modesty garment recited in claim 8, whereinsaid right and left fitted leg portions extend below said front and rearbody crotch portion of said panty portion by between about 2 centimetersand about 15 centimeters.
 10. The modesty garment recited in claim 9,wherein said panty portion further comprises a lining attached to saidinterior surface of said front and rear body crotch portions and a seamvisible on a rear exterior surface of said rear body portion.
 11. Themodesty garment recited in claim 10, wherein said lining of said pantyportion is not sewn into said front body portion such that a seam is notvisible on a front exterior surface of said front body portion.
 12. Themodesty garment recited in claim 11, wherein said modesty garment is anundergarment.
 13. The modesty garment recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a torso portion connected in a contiguous manner with anupper end of said panty portion.
 14. The modesty garment recited inclaim 13, wherein said torso portion includes right and left sleeves.15. The modesty garment recited in claim 13, wherein said torso portionis sleeveless.
 16. The modesty garment recited in claim 8, wherein saidright fitted leg body further comprises: a unitary left leg panel formedinto a tubular body bounded by an upper edge and a lower band, saidupper edge having a front upper edge length curvature defined by adownward arc from an exterior lateral left leg panel portion to aninterior lateral left leg panel seam, and said upper edge having a rearupper edge length curvature defined by a downward arc from said exteriorlateral left leg panel portion to said interior lateral left leg panelseam, said rear upper edge length having a steeper curvature than saidfront upper edge length.
 17. The modesty garment recited in claim 16,wherein said left fitted leg body further comprises: a unitary right legpanel formed into a tubular body bounded by an upper edge and a lowerband, said upper edge having a front upper edge length curvature definedby a downward arc from an exterior lateral right leg panel portion to aninterior lateral right leg panel seam, and said upper edge having a rearupper edge length curvature defined by a downward arc from said exteriorlateral right leg panel portion to said interior lateral right leg panelseam, said rear upper edge length having a steeper curvature than saidfront upper edge length.
 18. The modesty garment recited in claim 12,further comprising: a first elastic interface permanently attaching saidleft fitted leg body to said panty portion left leg opening such that anupper tubular body opening of said left leg panel is contiguous withsaid panty portion left leg opening; and a second elastic interfacepermanently attaching said right fitted leg body to said panty portionright leg opening such that an upper tubular body opening of said rightleg panel is contiguous with said panty portion right leg opening.
 19. Ayoung girl's unitary modesty undergarment comprising: a fitted pantyportion covering a wearer's pelvic region, said panty portion includinga main panty body bounded by an upper waist opening, a left leg openingand a right leg opening, and a crotch portion disposed at a lowervertical edge of said main panty body and laterally centered betweensaid left and right leg openings; a right fitted leg body permanentlyaffixed to and contiguous with said panty portion along a seam disposedat said right leg opening, said right leg body extending downward fromsaid right leg opening, said right leg body comprising a lower end, saidlower end being disposed below said crotch portion such that said rightfitted leg body at least partially covers a right upper thigh of a userwhen worn; and a left fitted leg body permanently affixed to andcontiguous with said panty portion along a seam disposed at said leftleg opening, said left leg body extending downward from said left legopening, said left fitted leg body comprising a lower end, said lowerend being disposed below said crotch portion such that said left fittedleg body at least partially covers a left upper thigh of a user whenworn; wherein said panty portion and said leg bodies are made ofsubstantially non-resilient to low-resilient fibers; and wherein saidpanty portion is made of one of the group of a cotton and cotton-blendfabric.
 20. A young girl's unitary modesty garment comprising: a fittedpanty portion covering a wearer's pelvic region, said panty portionincluding a main panty body bounded by a left leg opening and a rightleg opening, and a crotch portion disposed at a lower vertical edge ofsaid main panty body and laterally centered between said left and rightleg openings; a right fitted leg body permanently affixed to andcontiguous with said panty portion along a seam disposed at said rightleg opening, said right leg body extending downward from said right legopening, said right leg body comprising a lower end, said lower endbeing disposed below said crotch portion such that said right fitted legbody at least partially covers a right upper thigh of a user when worn;and a left fitted leg body permanently affixed to and contiguous withsaid panty portion along a seam disposed at said left leg opening, saidleft leg body extending downward from said left leg opening, said leftfitted leg body comprising a lower end, said lower end being disposedbelow said crotch portion such that said left fitted leg body at leastpartially covers a left upper thigh of a user when worn; and a torsoportion connected in a contiguous manner with an upper end of said pantyportion.